Sigatoka villagers wary of oil spill
“There has not been any mitigation or immediate action to clear the contamination which could poison our primary source of food and animals,” Ratu Meli said.
Monday 10 March 2025 | 10:42
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Mosese Bulitavu has admitted that they are aware of an oil discharge in Sigatoka through a letter from the Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) on March 5.
“The Waste and Pollution Control Team from the Ministry deployed an officer immediately to inspect the site, he confirmed that the discharge was from the separator pit at the EFL Sigatoka Powerhouse due to heavy rainfall,” the Ministry statement said.
It added that the MECC officer had met with turaga ni koro (villabe headman) from Nasama and briefed him accordingly.
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“EFL had deployed their response kit; however, it was deemed by the community to be ineffective to control the issue on hand.”
This follows the MECC statement added that it has been liaising with EFL on containing the oil discharge. Following an oil spill six days ago, two villages and a settlement in the district (tikina) of Nasigatoka have been told not to use the river.
They are from Nasama and Vunavutu and those living at Kulukulu, Nadroga.
“I have notified respective authorities, the Ministry of Health officers came and took a sample of the water from the river for testing, they told us not to touch the waterways since the result will be revealed after seven days,” said Vunavutu Village headman Emitai Qaratu.
“We are still waiting for them. The team from the Ministry of Environment has also visited us,” he said.
“EFL has placed certain sponges to contain the spill, but it is still visible in the water.”
“We need quick action to resolve this matter. Minister Mosese Bulitavu should by now reveal their plans to solve this.
“The only way I think can fix it is to drain the whole river because this oil spill has gone past Kulukulu.”
Ratu Meli Nasaravua of Nasama Village is concerned his animals will be affected by the oil spill.
“There has not been any mitigation or immediate action to clear the contamination which could poison our primary source of food and animals,” Ratu Meli said.
“The spill is from the Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) depot in Sigatoka. Complaints have been raised yet, in all three villages, we are still not allowed to use the river for swimming or fishing. This is deeply concerning.
There were no comments from EFL when this edition went to press.
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